Romania (OSIM) trademark application success rates

For brands operating in Eastern Europe, Romania offers a growing and increasingly accessible trademark system. In this article we’ll explore trademark filing trends and success rates in Romania to help businesses understand what to expect when applying for protection in this market.

By

Igor Demcak

Trademark protection wherever you need it

Application success rate at Romania’s OSIM: 5-year overview

Between 2019 and 2023, Romania recorded an average trademark registration success rate of 75.55%. While this rate fluctuated slightly year to year, it generally remained consistent, peaking at nearly 80% in 2021 before dipping slightly in 2023.

Applications filed in

Registered

Filed

Success rate

2019

6,918

9,234

74.92%

2020

7,114

9,403

75.66%

2021

7,413

9,293

79.77%

2022

7,200

9,414

76.48%

2023

8,813

12,237

72.02%

Total (average)

37,458

49,581

75.55%

Comparison to regional and global averages

With a 75.55% success rate, Romania stands out as a favorable jurisdiction for trademark protection. It performs significantly above the global average, falling just short of larger IP markets such as the EUIPO (90.80%) but above the USPTO (56.91%).

Among neighboring and regional countries, Romania aligns closely with Hungary (76.05%) and Poland (71.94%), but falling slightly behind other Eastern European markets such as Czech Republic (88.53%) and Slovakia (80.48%).

Country

Office code

Success rate

Romania

OSIM

75.55%

Hungary

HIPO

76.05%

Poland

PPO

71.94%

Czech Republic

IPOCZ

88.53%

The European Union

EUIPO

90.80%

Find out more about how this trademark office compares globally in our full report on trademark success rates worldwide.

Several factors contribute to the overall trademark registration performance in Romania:

Evolving IP infrastructure

OSIM has made notable progress in recent years to modernize operations, implement electronic filing systems, and improve processing efficiency. These improvements are reflected in the solid approval rates seen since 2020.

Focus on distinctiveness

Trademark examination in Romania places emphasis on ensuring that applications meet the requirements of distinctiveness and do not conflict with existing marks. Many refusals result from a lack of uniqueness or similarity with previously registered trademarks.

Volume trends and filing quality

While application volume has increased, particularly in 2023, the quality of filings has a direct impact on approval rates. Applicants who follow best practices in trademark preparation tend to enjoy significantly higher success.

How to maximize your chances of registration success in Romania

Despite a relatively high success rate of 75.55%, registering a trademark in Romania requires some preparation and understanding of OSIM procedures. To improve your likelihood of approval, it’s recommended to begin with a comprehensive trademark search to identify any potential conflicts. Ensure that your mark is distinctive and not merely descriptive, and clearly define the goods and services associated with your application.

Working with a qualified trademark lawyer is one of the most effective ways to increase your chances. A trademark lawyer can help navigate the complexities of the OSIM process, respond effectively to Office Actions, and build a solid filing strategy from the start.

If you are currently preparing to submit your first trademark application, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to strengthen your chances of success, with multiple pieces of advice directly from our trademark lawyers with years of experience. You can also take advantage of Trama’s free lawyer’s check to receive expert feedback on your trademark and guidance on the best steps forward.

Igor Demcak
Igor Demcak

Trademark Attorney

Founder of Trama

7 year experience in IP protection

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